[Intensity of lipid peroxidation and its relation to changes in the composition and antioxidative properties of lipids in acute viral hepatitis].

Interrelationship between the patterns of lipid peroxidation (diene conjugates and the lipid antioxidative activity) and alterations in lipid composition (content of total lipids, phospholipids and cholesterol) was studied in blood serum of patients with acute viral hepatitis and in healthy donors. An increase in content of lipids in blood serum of the patients with the hepatitis but not the intensity of peroxidation reactions in lipids was found to be responsible for the increase in content of the lipid peroxidation products in blood serum. With an increase in severity of the disease relative content of phospholipids in the total lipid fraction as well as antioxidative activity of lipids were elevated, while relative content of cholesterol and level of lipid oxidation were lowered.

[Characteristics of immune response regulation in viral hepatitis A and B].

In 272 patients with virus hepatitis A and B the content of theophylline-sensitive lymphocytes (T-suppressors) and theophylline-resistant lymphocytes (T-helpers) in the peripheral blood was determined. Differences in the content of T-suppressors in cases of acute virus hepatitis A and B with an equal degree of severity were revealed: at the peak of hepatitis A infection in the mild form of the disease the number of the cells was decreased, while at the peak of hepatitis B infection an increase in their number was observed in the mild and moderate forms of the disease and a decrease, in the severe form of the disease. In chronic persistent hepatitis a decrease in the content of T-suppressors and an increase in the content of T-helpers were observed, and in chronic active hepatitis (at the period of remission) and increase in the T-helpers occurred.

[Role of bilirubin as a natural antioxidant in regulating lipid peroxidation intensity in acute viral hepatitis].

Elevation of the content of lipid peroxidation (LPO) products in blood serum of patients with acute virus hepatitis (VH) is caused by an increase in the patients' blood serum lipids rather than by the intensity of peroxide reactions in lipids. There is a reverse correlation between the content of LPO products and bilirubin level and a direct correlation between lipid antioxidant activity (AOA) and bilirubin level. Marked antioxidant action of bilirubin that compares very favourably with the action of ionol (4-methyl-2,6-ditretbutylphenol) was demonstrated in the model of oxidation of methyl oleate.

[Changes in the count of highly avid, thermostable blood T-cells in viral hepatitis and its outcome].

The determination of the content of thermostable T-lymphocytes in the peripheral blood in 184 patients with acute virus hepatitis, as well as at the stage of the termination of the disease, has revealed the increased number of cells belonging to this subpopulation in all the groups under study. At the acute stage of the disease a rise in the number of thermostable T-cells is directly related to the severity of the process. Of different variants of the termination of hepatitis B, the highest content of thermostable T-cells is observed in chronic active hepatitis and chronic HBsAg carriership, while in chronic persistent hepatitis the content of thermostable T-cells is considerably lower.

[Development of a system for determining antibodies to the surface antigen of the virus of hepatitis B (HBsAb)].

A method for preparation of an immune diagnosticum using human erythrocytes of 0 (I) blood group sensitized with hepatitis B surface antigen in the presence of chromium chloride followed by the addition of formalin solution, for detection of antibody to the hepatitis B surface antigen is described. Using this immune diagnosticum, antibody to the surface antigen of hepatitis B virus was detected in 12-15% of the normal population in the Latvian SSR, and in 91% of patients with hepatitis B.

[HB-antigenemia and liver pathology].

The review deals with liver pathology in asymptomatic carriers of hepatitis B antigen. Information on the pattern and frequency of liver affection in carriers of HB antigen, on morphological methods for the detection of HB antigen in the liver tissue, on the frequency of the antigen detection in the liver tissue in asymptomatic antigen carriers and in liver diseases with HB antigenemia is presented. The data concerning the clinical and prognostic importance of hepatitis B antigen detection are given.

[Changes in organelle-specific enzyme activity and the ultrastructure of liver cells in cholelithiasis].

Activities of organelle specific enzymes (succinate dehydrogenase, glucose-6-phosphatase, acidic DNAase, acidic RNAase, acidic and alkaline phosphatases) were measured in homogenates and subcellular fractions of liver tissue of patients with cholelithic disease. Liver tissue samples analyzed were investigated also by light and electron microscopy. The data obtained were considered in connection with localization of cholelith in biliary system, type of inflammation, presence of subhepatic cholestasis and of accompanying syndrome of pancreatitis.

[Characteristics of the ultrastructural changes of the large intestine mucosa after acute dysentery].

Electron microscopic examinations of biopsy specimens of the large intestine from 8 patients one month after termination of the acute phase of dysentery revealed dystrophic and destructive changes in surface epithelium cells consisting in the lack of glycocalyx, fragmentation of microvilli, vacuolation and subsequent homogenization of the cytoplasm. Swelling and destruction of mitochondria, pyknosis and rhexisof the nucleus, exposure and loss of the intactness of the apical membrane of the cells were observed. The altered colonocytes frequently became detached off the basal membrane, exposing the stroma.